Steve Tippins says PhD students waste time avoiding questions with professors and committee members out of fear. Asking, even basic ones, moves you forward. He recommends joining a free dissertation help group to build a peer network that understands the process.
I talk to people frequently who say, well, I can't ask my professor this question. I'm afraid to ask this question. I don't want to look like I'm dumb. Well, if you don't know the answer, you better ask because you're just going to be wandering around for a long time waiting for the answer to, you know, hit you in the face or something. I don't know how you're going to get it if you don't ask. And people get intimidated from their committee members. So having a support network, having people who understand the process, understand what you're going through, can be incredibly helpful because fear of asking a question doesn't get you there. I've worked with many people who understand that they can ask a question. And once they ask that question and get the answer, life's a lot easier and they don't have to live in fear. If you're looking for a community, join our free dissertation help group.
